Clint Eastwood: Career of the Oscar-Winning Actor and Director

He began his career by appearing in B-movie horror films and supporting roles throughout the 1950s, but his breakthrough came about when he became a regular on the popular TV show “Rawhide.” Remaining a cast member for several years, he later transformed himself into a superstar with 1964’s “A Fistful of Dollars” and 1966’s “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” Continuing to thrill audiences in front of the camera for decades with films like "Dirty Harry", he took on directing duties in the early 1970s and continued to be the creative force behind countless masterpieces. These projects include "Mystic River", "Million Dollar Baby" and "Invictus" Join WatchMojo.com as we take a look at the legendary career of Clint Eastwood.

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Clint Eastwood: Career of the Oscar-Winning Actor and Director

He is an award-winning screen legend, producer and director. Welcome to Watchmojo.com and today we’ll be taking a look at the career of Clint Eastwood.

Clint Eastwood Jr. was born on May 31st, 1930 in San Francisco, California.

The son of a steelworker, his family travelled around frequently in his youth. After high school he moved to Seattle to work as a lifeguard, before being drafted into the army in 1950.

Following his return, he moved to Los Angeles where he dug swimming pools and tried out for bit parts in movies. It was at this time that Universal signed him to make brief appearances in B-movie horror films like 1955’s “Tarantula” and “Revenge of the Creature.” This led to several credited supporting roles in films like “Francis In The Navy” and “Ambush at Cimarron Pass.”

However, Eastwood’s breakthrough would only come at the end of the decade with the TV show “Rawhide.” Remaining a cast member for six years, he played the popular role of Rowdy Yates.

As a result of the show’s fame, he was given the starring role in 1964’s “A Fistful of Dollars” and its sequel. Next up, he awarded the lead in 1966’s “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” which transformed him into an international superstar.

A newfound staple of the Western genre, he lent his gruff persona and memorable facial grins to films like “Hang ‘Em High”, and even the musical “Paint Your Wagon.” Having made it as an actor, his greatest achievement was still to come.

In 1971, Clint ventured behind the camera to direct his first movie project, the thriller “Play Misty for Me.” Directing and starring, he played the part of a man being stalked by a crazy female admirer that turns violent.

That same year, he played a hard-edged police inspector in “Dirty Harry.” Not just a signature role for the actor, it single-handedly created the loose-cannon cop genre that became a cinematic fixture for decades to come.

Starring in various sequels to his most popular franchises, he remained extremely popular. This is due to starring alongside actors like Jeff Bridges in the buddy cop comedy “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot”, and opposite an orangutan named Clyde in “Every Which Way But Loose.”

Rounding out the 70s, he stunned critics in “The Outlaw Josey Wales”, and with his fact-based thriller “Escape from Alcatraz.” However, it was his fourth Dirty Harry installment “Sudden Impact” that gave fans the false impression that he would continue to dominate the box-office throughout the 80s.

However, his acting career saw a string of critical failures that diminished his star power. These included the comedy “Pink Cadillac”, and his cop adventure “The Rookie.”

Miraculously, Eastwood made an Oscar-winning comeback in 1992 with his Western “Unforgiven”, in which he both directed and starred alongside his long-time friend opposite Morgan Freeman. He then took on the role of a secret service agent defending the president in the film, “In the Line of Fire”, before co-starring with Meryl Streep in the love story “The Bridges of Madison County.”

Following this, he directed and starred “Absolute Power” and “Space Cowboys” before presenting audiences with the best films of his career; 2003’s Mystic River and 2004’s “Million Dollar Baby.”

Winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, he took a four-year acting hiatus before starring in 2008’s Gran Torino. At 78 years old, this project that made him the oldest man to ever take the top spot at the box office.

After starring in movies for five consecutive decades, he has become the longest-running movie star in Hollywood, and decided to focus all of his remaining energy and passion into directing. As a result, he later released the critically acclaimed projects “Invictus” and “Hereafter,” both of which showcased his longevity and focused skill as a filmmaker.